Left Alone

Compromise

Chapter Eight

"Shit!" I spat for the umpteenth time. "Shit shit shit shit!"

"Stop that!" Kane yelled, exasperated. He was panting, but then again so was I. That had been too close. I turned to Kane and raised an eyebrow at him. He rolled his eyes.

"Judging by your expression, I can tell you know what I'm going to say," I mused. He nodded.

"Look, I didn't know, ok?" He snapped, running his fingers through is shaggy hair. I clucked my tongue at him.

"We should have been better prepared," I stated. "We should have seen this coming."

"I'm sorry."

I blinked at him. That was so unexpected. I didn't think he would apologize to me for it. Looking into his face, I could see that he was sincere.

"Uh," I replied. Well, how should I have responded?

"Yeah," Kane sighed. He seemed to be uncomfortable with the situation. That made two of us.

"Look," I said, trying to comfort him. I sucked at this stuff. Just saying. "Forget it."

"What?"

"Just forget about it. We made it out, so there's no reason to get worked up over it, right?" He nodded, relieved.

To be honest, I wasn't fine with it. We could have been killed. I had to think about Star and saving him, so I couldn't be messing around. Kane meant well, but if I followed him, it would mean putting Star at risk. I refused to let that happen. This time we got away, but the next?

Not gonna happen, I told myself firmly.

"So," I told Kane. "I was thinking we should keep going through the night. You know, just in case they are still behind us."

"You don't trust me to make a decision, do you?" He didn't sound like he was offended, just sad. Well, that had to stop.

"You are perfectly capable if making decisions," I assured him.

"Uh huh," he said sarcastically. "Just not the right one?"

"You really need to get over this," I informed him. Honestly, it was done and over with. Can't he just drop the subject?

"Stop." Obediently, my feet paused. Fully exasperated now, I turned to him and huffed.

"What?"

"I know you're mad at me..." he started. I shook my head, cutting him off.

"I'm not mad," I told him. "I'm frustrated. You made a mistake and we both know it. I tried telling you to avoid that district, but you wanted to prove that you were useful, that you could do something to help. That's fine. But I know more about being out here. You should have listened to me. I have my brother to worry about. He could be in danger. So I'd like to not get killed just because you feel like it's necessary to prove that you are a big boy, understand?"

"Fine," he spat. "Just stop being so bossy. It gets annoying."

"I'll try." I meant it, too. I knew I didn't want to be dragged around the continent with a know-it-all. "I'm sorry too."

"At least we got away," Kane said, smiling. I laughed.

"Yeah," I agreed. "It was close, though. I thought that we were seriously fucked."

"Me too."

"Let's go."

For the next week, Kane followed my directions and I did my best to be more sensitive to him. It was awkward, frustrating, and humiliating but at least we were on better terms. I finally had someone other than Star that I knew I could trust with my life. And to be completely honest, I liked having a friend. I never knew how important it was to have someone on your side.